Boyne in drop zone after derby defeat

BOYNE suffered a chastening experience at the home of their neighbours Navan on Friday night - a defeat that sees them slip into the AIL Division 2C relegation zone.

This game was played under lights in terrible conditions at Balreask Old and those in attendance were certainly appreciative of Navan’s excellent facilities as they huddled together under the clubhouse stand for cover from the driving rain.

Both teams also had to contend with a strong wind which was at Boyne’s backs in the first half, but that did not hinder a formidable Navan side from going about their business to consolidate their position near the top of the league table.

They gave the visitors a torrid time throughout this game and opened their account after only four minute with a penalty by Colm O’Reilly.

Navan bossed the game in the possession stakes during the first half-hour, but Boyne’s defence managed to contain their offensive and indeed the visitors drew level when out half Niall Kerbey slotted over a penalty.

The Boyne set scrum held parity with the Navan eight, but the home side’s back row were certainly in marauding mode and created several scoring opportunities for their backs.

They eventually made one chance count shortly after Kerbey’s successful kick, with several players contributing as they made a break into the ‘22’ to send O’Reilly over in the corner - 8-3.

From the drop out Boyne pinned Navan deep in their half and forced a penalty which Kerbey slotted over to make it a two-point game once more with 36 minutes on the clock.

However, there was still time for one more score before the break and it was Navan who found a way through as Hester, who was already influential in the game, crossed for a second try which O’Reilly converted to bring the half-time score to 15-6.

Boyne were now facing into the terrible conditions, which worsened in the second half, and their valiant attempts to master the conditions proved too much as Navan’s dominance became an onslaught.

Still, Boyne remained with nine points until the hour mark when Ryan touched down for Navan under the posts following a series of phases in the visitors’ ‘22’.

Navan now had the bonus point in their sights and they made sure of the full complement of five league points with a Brian Haugh try a short time later. This try was converted to bring Navan to 27 points and give them an unassailable lead.

Boyne continued their efforts to contain their opponents’, but in the final minute Navan added a further try and conversion to take over briefly as league leaders ahead of Saturday’s programme of matches.

Both teams were to be commended for dealing with the awful weather conditions which prevailed, while the Navan ground staff deserve praise also for the excellent state of the pitch which held firm underfoot and didn’t cut up despite the downpours.

However, Boyne were unhappy with one element of the game and that was jeering by a section of the Navan supporters of the visiting team’s players, something a club official later described as ‘alien to the game of rugby and not a ploy which is prevalent at most rugby grounds’.

In fairness to the younger Boyne players, they fought hard right up to the full-time whistle in this match, but the spate of injuries in recent weeks has not helped the side’s cause and coach Graeme Eastwood will be thankful for this coming weekend’s break in fixtures to assess his injury situation.

Old foes Tullamore are the visitors to Shamrock Lodge on Saturday week and the pre-Christmas schedule will be completed with a crucial away match against bottom-of-the-table Kanturk on December 3rd.